Intense transfer speculation continues to surround Lazio midfielder Sergej Milinković-Savić, who has reportedly been the subject of a €110 million + bonuses bid from Manchester United, in addition to reported interest from Real Madrid and Paris Saint-Germain.
With this in mind, Lazio should have a list of replacements should the Serbian international leave. Sporting director Igli Tare has stated “If Milinković parts he will be replaced with a player who is equal”.
The latest name to be linked with the club is Barcelona midfielder André Gomes. Calciomercato cites a report by Sport which states that Barcelona are looking to sell Gomes during the summer, putting a price tag of €25 million on the Portuguese midfielder. Despite this, the Blaugrana have yet to receive any offers.
One possibility is a loan deal that can be turned permanent at the end of the season. This has reportedly interested Lazio, Everton and Napoli, with Lazio boss Simone Inzaghi believing Gomes could make a good replacement for Milinković-Savić should he depart.
Who is André Gomes?
Gomes started his career at Lisbon based side, Benfica, making fourteen league appearances for the senior squad, helping them to a domestic treble during the 2013-14 season.
The following season he joined La Liga outfit Valencia on loan, where he made thirty-three league appearances and scored four goals before making his move permanent at the end of the season.
He would go on to make thirty league appearances for Valencia the following season, scoring three goals, before making a €35 million to Barcelona in the summer of 2016. He was a regular for the Catalonian side in his first season, making thirty appearances and scoring three goals as he helped his side win the Copa del Rey. Despite this, he had the infamy of winning The Worst Signing of the Season’ as voted for by readers of Marca.
He clearly wasn’t in incoming boss’ Ernesto Valverde’s plans during the 2017-18 season, making just 16 appearances and garnering a paltry 6.39 rating according to WhoScored.
Gomes has twenty-nine caps for his country and was part of the Portugal side that won the European Championships in 2016. Despite this, he has not been included in Portugal’s final squad for the World Cup.
What do you think of a potential move for André Gomes? Would he make a suitable replacement for Sergej Milinković-Savić? Leave your thoughts down in the comments below.
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